Fluid cooling apparatus



, March 4, 1947. 4M. M.r LAWLER FAL 2,416,760'

FLUID COOLING APPARATUS Filed July 1l :s sheets-Sheet 1 M. MLAWLER smv.;

m P. FTBAHLER Y lNVENTORS ATTORNEY March 4, 1947. M M, LAWLER AL 2,416,760

i FLUID-COOLING APPARATUS FiledJuly 1, 1943` 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 O ...uOOOCOOOOOOOOOO OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO MMLAWLER 1D. FBAHLER INVENTORS ATTORNEY March V4, 1947 M. M. LAwLER Erm. 2,415,760

l FLUID COOLING APPARATUS Filed July 1, 1943 3 Sheets-Shelei 3 M. M. LAWL ER j 'PF BAHLER NVENTORS Patented Mar. 4, 1947 UNITED STATES PATENT olfrlciag` FLUID COOLING APPARATUS Matthew M. Lawler, Short Hills, and Paul F.

Bahler, Haworth, N. J., assignors to Worthington Pump and Machinery Corporation,

Harrison, N. Il., a corporation of Delaware Application July 1, 1943, Serial No. 493,120

9 Claims.

\ This invention relates to a cooling orgrefrigera-y tion system or apparatus, and more particularlyA to such an apparatus adaptable for use in a system for catalytic alkylating of hydrocarbons, in .which a condensing catalyst'is employed to promote the ,I reaction between the iso-parailinic and the oleto a minimum. Such a process, therefore, re-

quires the use of mechanical refrigeration to remove the heat generated by the reaction and to maintain the temperature of the acid hydrocarbonemulsion` at the desired degree.

In carrying out such a process it has also been found desirable to provide Ymeans for circulating an excess of iso-paraiiinic to olene and to obtainI a high rate of flow of the hydrocarbon acid emulsion to promote thorough mixing, ana also to facilitate cooling.

l An object ofthe present invention is to provide a mechanical refrigeration apparatus which will .bring about'a high degree of heat transfer rateA between the hydrocarbon emulsion and the refrigerant to maintain the temperature of the acid hydrocarbon emulsion at the desired degree, and

provide a high rate of ilow of the emulsion, which apparatus is simple in construction and of 'low initial andv operating cost -in comparison with approved equipment now employed for the same or analogous purposes.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a refrigerating orcooling apparatus .which is compact, provides ease andy simplicity of control, and reduces friction losses of refriger.-

ant flow to a minimum thereby reducing the p'ower consumption of the unit to maintain a pre- .'determinedheat transfer relation between the cooling or refrigerating agent and the fluid to be cooled. y V

With'these and. other objects in rview, as may appear from the accompanying specification, the

' invention consists of various features of construction'and combination o f parts, which willbe rst described in connection with the accompanying drawings, showing a refrigeration or `cooling system of a preferred form embodying the invention,

and the features forming the invention will be specifically pointed out in the In the drawings: Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view showing the improved cooling or refrigerating apparatus in a system for catalytic alkylating of hydrocarbons.

claims.-

Figure 2 is a cross-section through the reactor or evaporator employed in the system showing its connections and relation with the other elements of the refrigerating or cooling system.

Figure 3 is a longitudinal section through reactor.

In the process of catalytic alkylating of hydrocarbons, in which a condensing catalyst is employed .to promote the reaction between the isoparafne and the oleilnic hydrocarbon which is employed asl the feed stock to produce an alkylatedA` iso-paraflinic hydrocarbon suitable for use in an 'I aviation motor fluid, the fresh hydrocarbon is fed through a suitable inlet or feeding means I intof the inlet space 2 of the combined mixing actor.. Thecombined return and outlet chamber and inlet chamber 3 formed at one end of the shell 4 -of the reactor 5'by the tube head 6. The catalyst or acid, such as sulphuric acid is delivered to the inlet space 2 of the ,combined inlet and mixing chamber 3 throughl a suitable inlet pipe 'I. The combined inlet and mixing chamber.

3 has a Vconical partition 8 therein which divides the chamber/ into the inlet space 2 and the circu lating space 9. The partition 8 is provided with an lopening I0 vwhich establishes communication between the inlet space 2 and the circulation space 9. A combined pumpingand mixing im;

peller I I is positioned in the opening Ill` and ity may be rotated byv any suitable type of primey the l mover such as anele-ctrical motor shown at I2.

'I'he fresh hydrocarbon which is projected towardsthe impeller II by a\nozzle I4 is partially mixed with the acid catalyst in the space 2, and

' it is more thoroughly mixed bythe action of .the impeller II which draws the hydrocarbon and catalyst from the space 2'. and discharges it into the circulating space 9.

bined return and outlet chamber I 8 of the re- I`6 is formed by the tube head I1 and the head I8 of .the shell,4.k The tube heads Bfand I'I which support the tubes I5 form the cooling or From the circulating -j space 9 in the'reactor 5 the mixture ,or emulsion ofthe hydrocarbon and catalyst ilows throughfa plurality of relatively large tubes I5 into the comevaporating chamber I8 between a combined inletand mixing chamber 3 and the combined outlet and return chamber I6.

. proved type of centrifugal compressor.

The tubes I5 are arranged in an annular set as clearly shown in Figure 2 of the drawings, and a plurality of smaller return tubes I9 extend through the cooling or evaporating chamber I8 and establish communication between the return chamber I6 and the inlet space 2 of the combined inlet and mixing chamber 3 so that the l emulsion or mixture of hydrocarbon and-acid catalyst flows from the circulating space 9 through the tubes I5 linto the return chamber i vI8 and part of it returns through the tubes I9y to the inlet space 2 where it-is mixedwith the incoming fresh hydrocarbon and acid catalyst 3 and recrculated.

Part of the alkylate passes from the combined outlet and return chamber I6 through the outlet 20 to the separator 2I where the acid catalyst As. hereinbefore pointed out in a lprocess of this type for producing an alkylated iso-paraillnic hydrocarbon `suitable for use in an aviation motor fuel, the reaction which takes place is exothermic and the best results, so as to reduce polymerization losses to a minimum, is provided when the reaction is conducted at a temperature of from 30 F. to 50 F.; therefore, refrigeration mechanism is provided in combination with the reactor to provide for the cooling or refrigerating l of the emulsion of hydrocarbon and acid catalyst during its circulation through the reactor 5.

` A closed refrigeration system embodying the reactor is shown in Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings and it embodies a centrifugal compressor 25 which may be of the type of compressor shown in U. S. Patent No. 2,286.522 or any other apsince it is known that heat transfer rates increase of reciprocating compressors.

over the cooling surface. the arrangement whereby the liquid to be cooled is circulated through the tubes which are immersed inthe liquid refrigerantwill provide a high degree of cooling with astructure of minimum size. 0

The employment of the centrifugal compressor in the-system has numerous advantages among which are the compactness of the refrigerating unit, the ease and simplicity of control'of the unit and consequently f control of thecooling by control of the refrigerant delivered to the reactor, and further it provides a very material reduction in friction loss of refrigerant flow overthe frictional losses which are caused by the use A friction loss in the refrigerant flow/represents heat transfer loss and increased horse power to maintain. a predetermined heat transfer and consequently the useof the centrifugal'compressor reduces thepowen consumption of the system. Further., there is a marked advantage in the `initial cost of a unit employing a centrifugal compressor in lieu of one employing a reciprocating compressor, and also the useof the centrifugal compressor permits an individual. refrigerating unit for each -reactor in an alkylating plant, which is an economical feature and also provides a better unitary control in a battery of reactors, in that, in lieu of throttling refrigerant flow as would be required by the em- .ployment of a single reciprocating compressor for a battery of reactors, control of the compres- The suction of the centrifugal compressor 25V i is connected. through a suitable connection 26` a part of the tubes I5 and into the passageway x 21 `from which it enters the suction of the cen;

trifugal, compressor 25 whereit is compressed. The centrifugal compressor 25 delivers the compressedvaporized refrigerant to a condenser 28 of any approved constructionwhich may be -purchased upon the open market. The compressed vaporized .refrigerant is condensed in the condenser 28,`and the condensed liquid refrigerant` passes from the condenser 28 through the suitable connection 29 into the cooling or` evapora' tion chamber I3 of the reactor 5. As shownjin Figure 2 of the drawings, the return tubes I9 are 'arranged in upper andlower nests with the tubes I9 in the upper nest positioned within a trough 30 so as to insure that the return tubes I9 will be vat all times submerged in liquid refrigerant.

sor is provided to compensate for varying conditions in the reactor.

The centrifugal compressor 25 is shownin Figure 1 of the drawingsas being driven by a steam turbine 35, but it is to be understood that it may be driven by any suitable type of prime mover'- wimdut departing from the spirit of the present invention.

Withthe steam turbine drive for the centrifugal compressor 25, a diagrammatic Figure 1 of the drawings shows a temperature control, for controlling the temperature of the emulsion in the, reactor by controlling the speed of operation of the turbine 35 and consequently controlling the speed of operation of the centrifugal compressor 25 and the quantityof refrigerant delivered to the reactor. y I A thermal bulb 36 of any approved type is inserted into the return and outlet chamber I6 and it is connected to. a temperature cut-off switch 31 of any approved construction which Vfrom the pressure actuated regulating valve 4I depending upon the operation of the solenoid 38.

The liquid refrigerant overflows fromthe trough` 29 into the lower part of the `shell 4 and sub- @merges thereturn tubes I9 in the lower nest.

The reactor 5 with its construction as heretofore described embodying the impeller II will provide the greatest` possible velocity of the emulsion through the tubes I5 and I9 with a minimum ca-` pacity of the circulating pump or the impeller II E understood that any approved type of control mechanism for use either with 4a. steam turbine or an 'electric 'motor may be provided without departing tion.

It will be understood that the invention is n'ot to be limited to the specific construction or arrangement of parts shown, but that they may be .widely modiiled within by the claims.

What is claimed is: l

1. In a refrigerating or cooling system for use in the catalytic alkylating of hydrocarbons, the combination, of a reactor comprising a shell, tube heads in said shell providing an inlet chamber, a combined return and outlet chamberand an intermediate cooling chamber, a partition in said inlet chamber forming a circulating space, a set from the spirit of the present inventhe invention defined 4anarco chamber serving to return mixed catalyst and hydrocarbon to the inlet chamberfor mixing with vincoming catalyst and fresh hydrocarbon, a combined mixing and pumping impeller in said opening to facilitate lmixing and to circulate said mixed catalyst and hydrocarbon, said cooling chamber having an inlet for refrigerant located so as to immerse part of the tubes connecting the combined outlet and return chamber and the combined inlet and mixing chamber with liquid refrigerant, and means for circulating rev fri'gerant through said cooling chamber.

of tubes extending through said cooling chamber and opening into the circulating space and said combined return and outlet chamber, a second set of tubes extending through said cooling chamber and opening into the inlet chamber and the return and outlet chamber, means for de- 4. A refrigerating vor cooling systemI as claimed in claim 1 which includes means associated withsome selected tubes of the second set vof tubes to retain liquid refrigerant to cause immersion'of said selected tubes inliquid refrigerant.j 5. In a refrigerating or coolingV system vits v claimed in claim 2 wherein the tubes of said first set of tubes have a greater cross sectional area than the tubes of the second set of tubes whereby f a greater quantity of liquid will be delivered to livering a liquid refrigerant into said cooling chamber for contact with the second set of tubes,

said cooling chamber having an outlet for vaporized refrigerant, a part of said first set oftubes being arranged in said shell so as to be free from contact with liquid refrigerant but being located I in the path of vaporized refrigerant to said outlet.

2. In a refrigerating or cooling system for use in the catalytic alkylating of hydrocarbons, the combination, of a reactor comprising a shell, tube heads in said shell providing an inlet chamber, a combined return and outlet chamber and an intermediate cooling chamber, a partition in -said inlet chamber forming a circulating space, a set of tubes extending through said cooling chamber and opening into the circulating chamber andl said combined return and outlet chamber, a second se't of tubes extending through said cooling chamber and opening into the inlet chamber and the return and outlet chamber, means for deliveringv a liquid refrigerant into said cooling chamber for contact with the second set of tubes, said cooling chamber having an outlet for vaporized refrigerant, a part of said firstset of tubes" being arranged in said shell so as to be free from contact with liquid refrigerant but being located in the path of vaporized refrigerant to said outlet, independent spaced inlet means for admitting respectively a catalyst and fresh hydrocarbonv to said combined inlet and mixing chamber where-v by mixed catalyst, and hydrocarbon entering the combined mixing and inlet chamber from lsaid second set of tubes will be mixed with incoming catalyst and fresh hydrocarbon.

3. In a refrigerating or cooling system for use in the catalytic alkylating of hydrocarbons, of a. reactor comprising a shell tube heads in said shell providing a combined mixing and inlet chamber, a combined return and outlet chamber and an intermediatecooling chamber, inde- .pendent spaced inlet means opening into said combined mixing and inlet chamber for admitting respectively a catalyst and fresh hydrocarbons to the combined inlet and mixing chamber, a

' plurality of tubes connecting said inlet landreturn chambers and extending through said cooling chamber, a partition ini` said combined mixing and inlet chamber dividing it, into an inlet space and a circulating space, said partition provided with an opening establishing communication .bev tween said inlet space and said circulation space, said tubes which communicate with said return andoutlet chamber and said inlet and mixing' chamber, a partition in said inlet chamber form-L ing a circulating space, a-set of tubes extending through said cooling chamber and opening into the circulating chamber and said combined return and outlet chamber, a second set of tubes extending through said :cooling chamber and opening into the inlet chamber and the return and outlet chamber, means for delivering a liquid refrigerant into said cooling chamber for contact with `said second set of tubes, said cooling chamber having an outlet for vaporized refrigerant, a trough enclosing a part of said second set of tubes, said liquid refrigerant delivering means located to deliver liquid refrigerant into said trough to immerse the tubes enclosed in the trough in liquid refrigerant.v

, 7. In a refrigerating orcooling system for use in the catalytic alkylating of hydrocarbons, a reactor comprising a shell,.tube heads in said shell providing an inlet chamber, a combined return and outlet chamber and an intermediate cooling chamber, a partition insaid inlet chamber forming a, recirculating space, a set of tubes extending through said cooling chamber and opening into the circulating chamber and said combined return and outlet chambena 'second set of tubes 1 extending through saidl cooling chamber and opening into the inlet chamber and the return and outlet chamber, means for delivering a l'iqeuid refrigerant into said cooling'chamber for con` tact withsaid'secondset of tubes, said cooling chamber having an outlet for vaporized refrigerant, a trough enclosing apart of said second set of tubes, saidliquid'refrigerant-delivering means located to deliver liquid refrigerant into said trough to immerse the tubes enclosed in the trough in liquid refrigerant, the tubes. of said first set of tubes having a greater cross-sectional area` than. the tubes of the 'secondset of tubes whereby a greater quantity of liquid `will bedelivered to said return chamber from said mixing space than, will be returned from the return chamber to the inlet space.

8. In avrefrigerating or cooling system'for use in the catalytic alkylating of hydrocarbons, a re- ,1 I 7 actor comprising a. shell, tube heads in said shell lturn and outletv chamber, a second set of tubes .t

' trough to immerse the tubes enclosed in the `trough in liquid refrigerant, the part of said second set of tubes which is not enclosedv in said trough being located beneath the trough whereby liquid refrigerant'spilling out of the trough will contact them.

9. In a refrigerating or cooling system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the tubes of the first tubes located in the y of the lvaporized refrigerant-now tothe outlet A are located in the bcttom'of the shell whereby they will be' contacted by liquid refrigerant. and wherein the cross-sectional areas of the tubes inthe path of the vaporized refrigerant is greater than the sum of the cross-sectional area of the bottom of the shell.

PAUL F.. BAHLER.

` rille of thislpatent: l

25 `set of tubes other than those located in the path UNrrED` STATES PATENTS Number Name t Date 955,483 Tiemann Apr. 19, 1910 1,004,087 Scheinemann Sept.` 26, 1911 1,552,526 Westerlin Sept. 8, 1925 2,238,802 Altsshuler Apr. 15, 1941 2,308,786 Smith Jan. 19, 1943 2,380,245 Keith July 10, 1945 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Giuntry Date 318,597

British Dec. s', 19,30 

